Settling In

Delgado: After nearly two months I have seen a great change in how Delgado feels at his new home and with his new human. Del seldom bolts or jumps as I lead him around the ranch. However, last night he did go a little right-brained (he lost focus and became jumpy) as we walked past the round pen where Larry was cracking a buggy whip to make his new horse run around. For a few seconds Del was not listening to me as I led him past. I realized at that point Del has made great progress since he first came to the ranch. I am convinced it is, in part, due to the ground work we are doing. Yesterday, we practiced the Parelli, 7 Games.
Here is a youtube video of a girl doing them at liberty which is more advanced that we are doing. I am working on line (lead rope).  I also shadowed Del for the first time today. I read about this practice and thought he might enjoy it and I would learn more about him. I stayed at zone 3, at his side, moving only when he moved in the area. He was at liberty. I followed him for about ten minutes. I rather enjoyed it. Not sure what he thought about it.

Glory: Glory and Cupido share a large pasture.Cupido, also a Paso Fino,  is the horse on the right (below) and he is in love with Glory. Just past the fence, Del shares a pasture with an old mare of twenty plus years and six goats. We felt since Delgado thinks Glory is his mare, it might not be good to put the three of them together.

Yesterday, I worked on the ground with Glory as well. I admit I have put more time into Del at the start as he was so challenging and Glory is submissive which has made her easier to manage. I found she is a very quick learner! Where Del will loose interest quickly and zone out on me, Glory doesn't. I also saddled her up and borrowed a bridle (see more about the bridle below) and rode her in the arena. We practiced maintaining gaits (speed), circles, figure eights, stopping, backing up, etc. She did well but did play with the bit some.

Catching up:  I want to record that I put Tiena's bride (with a bit) on Glory and we took a nice ride with Millie and Cupido.  Glory seemed to mostly forget about the bit as we went out on the trail. I believe that it will help me collect her (at this point she moves along with her head down like a quarter horse). This puts her weight too much on her forehand (front of her body) and is not such a great position for gaiting.

I have also ordered and received a hackemore to try on Del today. I am sure it must be partly my doing, but out on the trail with other horses, he pulls so much my hands get tired. That is my body's weakest part and I am hoping this will help. I plan to take care and have a soft rein today and see if this will make it easier to slow him down. I would rather not put a bit in Del's mouth if I don't need to. He doesn't have the collection problem that Glory does and frankly, I have always been amazed at how well he goes in the hackemore / lunging bridle Jenn trained him in.